Women's Lacrosse | 7/17/2025 10:00:00 AM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – St. John Fisher University's Sydney Carpenter has been named the 2024-25 Empire 8 Conference Woman of the Year, the league office announced on Thursday morning. The annually presented award recognizes a senior female student-athlete who has distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.

Carpenter, arguably the best player in the St. John Fisher women's lacrosse program's history, led the Cardinals to four consecutive Empire 8 championships and never lost a game against a conference opponent during her collegiate career (36 straight wins, including regular season and postseason). The Cardinals played in the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament in each of her four seasons. 

Carpenter joins Sydney French (women's volleyball, 2023), Emily Trotman (softball, 2021) and Katie Mazierski (softball/volleyball, 2018) as the fourth E8 Woman of the Year winner in school history. 

"I am beyond grateful to be named the Empire 8 Woman of the Year," Carpenter said. "This is such an incredible honor, and it truly means so much to me. I'm especially thankful for everyone who has supported me throughout my collegiate career and helped guide me toward making this honor possible. I've been fortunate to have amazing teammates and mentors who have inspired me to be my best on the field, in the classroom, and in life. I've had the opportunity to grow not just as a student-athlete, but also as a leader and competitor." 

Carpenter, who owns a seemingly endless list of lacrosse accomplishments and accolades, earned All-America honors from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) three times, garnering first-team recognition in 2023 and 2025. She was a first-team IWLCA All-Region selection in each of her four seasons. 

The Empire 8 named Carpenter its Rookie and Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, its Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 and its Midfielder of the Year in 2025. She earned first-team All-E8 honors four times and was named the Most Valuable Player of the conference's championship tournament in 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

"Sydney embodied the spirit of determination and excellence, leading her team through tireless dedication and an unwavering commitment to her craft," Linda Michele, who recently retired as St. John Fisher's women's lacrosse coach, said. "Her discipline and relentless work ethic not only elevated her game but inspired those around her to strive for greatness, proving that the true measure of a champion lies in the journey of becoming one's best self."

Carpenter holds the Empire 8 record for draw controls (504) and the Fisher record for assists (126). She finished her remarkable collegiate career five points shy of breaking the E8 career points record, held by former Cardinals star Taylor Hughes (304 points from 2011-14). 

Additionally, Carpenter ranks fourth in Fisher history in goals scored (174), fifth in caused turnovers (91) and eighth in ground balls (170). She tallied at least 36 goals and 65 points in all four seasons and went over 100 draw controls in a season three times.

Carpenter, who recently earned her bachelor's degree in inclusive adolescent education with a concentration in history, graduated with a 3.9 grade-point average. She is a six-time member of the Empire 8 President's List for maintaining at least a 3.75 grade-point average ad a seven-time St. John Fisher Dean's List honoree. 

Carpenter was a member of St John Fisher's Alpha Gamma Omicron chapter of KDP, the National Honor Society for Educators and the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. In addition, she earned 2023 and 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors and was an IWLCA Division III Academic Honor Roll recipient in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

"Sydney is the kind of leader that inspires confidence in her team by showing them the way on and off the field through her hard work, discipline, and commitment to success," Jen Granger, St. John Fisher's director of athletics and recreation, said. 

Away from the field and classroom, Carpenter excelled in engagement within the St. John Fisher community as a member of the university's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, while participating in St. John Fisher's Out of Darkness Walk, which raised awareness and support for mental health, Stick it Cancer awareness game in 2025 and Morgan's Message game. She has also served as a substitute teacher in the Rochester City School District and has coached with youth and club lacrosse programs over the last few seasons. 

"Sydney is one of the most accomplished student-athletes in the Empire 8's storied history," Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner Joe Venniro said. "Her accolades on the field, starting with four league championships in four seasons in addition to multiple All-American honors are legendary. What is even more impressive are her leadership qualities and what she has already accomplished in the classroom and in her student-teaching and offseason coaching roles. She has a great future ahead of her."

Carpenter will begin her professional career teaching in the Victor School District this fall. 

"Over the past four years at St. John Fisher and as a member of the Empire 8, I've grown into the person I am today," Carpenter said. "I've learned the power of perseverance, the value of putting your best effort into everything that you do, and the importance of teamwork and family. I'm excited to carry these lessons with me into the next chapter of my life and to pass them on to the next generation as both a teacher and a coach."

Carpenter will be the conference's nominee for the NCAA's 2025 Woman of the Year award. Established in 1991, the award recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers. 

The committee will choose the top ten nominees in each division (I, II and III) in fall 2025. From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division in late fall. The 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced at the 2026 NCAA Convention in January.

Carpenter will also be in consideration for the national DIII Commissioner's Association Senior Female Athlete of the Year award.